Fire extinguisher



July 8, 1930. F. R. DE GARMO 1,770,028

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April 28, 1928 fxz'al? A; Gap/n0,

INVENTOR;

WITNESS: V ATTORNEY.

Patented July 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRED R. DE GARMO, OF KINGSTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 BERNARD S. FORMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Application filed April 28,

This invention relates to improvements in fire extinguishers.

The primary object of the invention resides in a fire extinguisher which is automatic in its action for operation when the temperature surrounding the same reaches a predetermined degree, and which will function when supported in any position which conditions may require.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic fire' extinguisher which embodies the use of a bracket or holder for a breakable sealed container of fire extin: guishing fluid, such as carbon tetrachloride, which is smashed by a spring actuated hammer normally held under tension by a fusible bar and which melts under a heat of a predetermined degree. The breaking of the container releases the fluid which vaporizes in the atmosphere in the form of a gas and acts to suffocate the fire,

Another object is the provision of a fire extinguisher which includes a support for removably receiving a breakable container of fire extinguishing fluid, and which may be automatically broken therein when subjected to the action of heat of a predetermined degree, or which container may be manually lifted from the holder and thrown at the fire.

A further object is to provide an automatic fire extinguisher which is simple of construction, easy to mount upon a supporting structure, and which is positive in operation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, the essential. features of which are 1928. Serial No. 273,599.

tirety which includes a holder or bracket 11 constructed of a single length of flat resilient metal bent into U-shape to provide an elongated attaching portion or base 12 andangularly disposed resilient ears 13 having aligned openings 14 therein. The base 12 has suitable openings therein for the passage of screws or like fastening elements 15 by which the holder may be attached to a supporting structure, such as a wall or ceiling.

Struck out from the base 12 approximately midway between the ends thereof are spaced opposing ears 16 having aligned openings 17 therein, while a bowed spring 18 constructed of fiat resilient material has one end fixedly connected to the base in a manner so that its free end may be moved to a position between the ears 16 and held under tension by a fusible bar 19 which is passed through the openings 17. The bar 19 is constructed of material which will melt when subjected to a predetermined degree of heat, for example a heat between 125 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Removably supported by the holder 11 is a sealed glass tubular container 20 which is rounded at opposite ends as at 21 for seating against the walls of the openings 14. The container is adapted to contain a fluid solution of fire extinguishing compounds such as carbon tetrachloride and being of fragile material, the same may be easily broken by a blow from the bevelled hammer head 22 carried by the free end of the spring, as the container is disposed in the path of movement of the hammer head when released by the melting of the fusible bar.

In practice, the extinguisher may be mounted upon the wall or ceiling of a room, within an automobile or other conveyance in any manner without fear of the container dropping out of the holder, as the resiliency of the ears 13 tends to clamp the container therein. Any vibration to which the extinguisher may be subjected will in no way set off the operation of the same. Assuming that the extinguisher is in a set position as shown in the drawing, and the temperature surrounding the same reaches a degree 'suflicient to melt the fusible link, the spring actuated hammer is released which breaks the glass tubular container, releasing the chemical of carbon tetrachloride or the like, which vaporizes in the atmosphere, thus forming a gas capable of smothering any surrounding fire. If desired, the container may be pulled from the holder and thrown at the blaze with the same extinguishing result. After an operation, a substitute container may be placed in the holder and a new fusible bar inserted through the ears for holding the spring hammer in a retracted or set position.

The extinguisher may be conveniently positioned to protect property against damage by fire and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost for extensiveuse.

While I have described what I deem to be the most desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious-that ma-nyof the details spring, a pair of aligned ears projecting from said bracket and between which the free end of said fiat spring is disposed when the same is manually moved against said bracket to place the same under tension, and a fusible bar supported by said ears for retaining said spring under tension.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

FRED R. DE GARMO.

may be varied Without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact details of construction herein set forth nor to anything less than the whole of my invention limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is 1. An automatic fire extinguisher comprising an elongated U-shaped holder having seats in the opposite legs thereof, a tubular breakable container adapted to contain a fire extinguishing compound having rounded ends fitting in said seats to support the tube at its extreme ends, a spring actuated hammer carried by said holder for striking engagement with said breakable container intermediate its ends, and a fusible bar carried by said holder for holding said spring hammer in a set position under tension.

2. An automatic fire extinguisher comprising a bracket formed of a single length of resilient material bent into U-shape to provide a base with resilient ears extending angularly therefrom, aligned seats provided in said cars, a tubular glass container having rounded ends seated in said seats and adapted to contain a fire extinguishing compound, a flat spring having one end fixed to said base. a hammer head carried by the free end of said flat spring, and a fusible bar carried by said base for holding said spring in a position under tension, whereupon the melting of said fusible bar under heat of a predetermined degree will release said spring to allow said hammer head to strike said glass container for breaking the same to release the contents therefrom.

3. In an automatic fire extinguisher, an elongated U-shaped bracket having seats provided in the opposed legs theerof, said bracket adapted to be fixedly mounted upon a supporting structure, said seats adapted to re- 7 ceive the respective ends of a tubular breakable container filled with a fire extinguishing compound, a'flat spring fixed to said bracket, a hammer head on the free end of said flat 

